2026 Olympic men's ice hockey rosters

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Locke

Well...of course not, considering the Soviet Union fell in 1991. They werent even around in 2002.

Thats like saying that Czechoslovakia isn't even trying anymore.

The Soviets were always Russian, and I think it’s fair to call them Soviets now, since they’re acting so bloody Soviet.

And Czechoslovakia should consider re-unification - they’d instantly be a gold
Medal contender.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

You can always debate this player over that player, but what concerns me is the age of the team. There are only 2 players under the age of 26, Hanley (24) and Celebrini. Two concerns:

1) teams that lack youth often have trouble generating energy

2) there will be other Olympics after this one, and part of the process is getting some young guys there, in order to gain experience so they are ready to lead next time.

IMO, there is room on the roster for Bedard and Schaufer - and maybe even Geekie

I don’t know if 1 is accurate for the olympics. Old guys giddy up just as much as young guys on the biggest stages (same with the nhl playoffs). The teams that won over the last 20 year, when NHL players played, seem to be mostly mid 20-mid 30 year old vets with a couple younger guys mixed in.

You’re right on 2 but there are plenty of international tournaments for young guys to knit in before the next Olympics. (Bedard could have done it this summer if he wanted to).

I like Schaefer a lot, and he might have a huge tournament, but he could just as easily be dominated. He’s also taken a step back in December from his screaming hot start. You don’t put a kid on a roster like this who’s gone from hot to just okay. He’ll be a lock for the next one at only 23. And Bedard is injured with an uncertain timeline for return. A team like Canada shouldn’t name an injured 20 year player, who at best comes in cold and at worst isn’t even healthy, to the Olympic team

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

The Soviets were always Russian, and I think it’s fair to call them Soviets now, since they’re acting so bloody Soviet.

And Czechoslovakia should consider re-unification - they’d instantly be a gold
Medal contender.

1. I dont know nearly enough about the socio-political circumstances between the two that led to the breakup in the first place to comment on that.

2. You're absolutely right.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Totally agree. The two that stick out for me, due to age are Stone & Doughty.

Question for those who are familiar with Cirelli's play.. is he a shut down guy? Trying to understand his selection.

Yeah… think Mikael Backlund who’s almost 10 years younger and a little better goal scorer/offence.

He’s the weakest selection for me but I somewhat get the rationale. The heat will be on if he is a regular in the lineup over other guys and the team has trouble scoring (it shouldn’t).

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

The other question about Geekie is, is he a center, and does Canada need him to play C? I think he mostly plays with Lindholm as his center, and Pasta/Steeves on the wing.

Canada tends to just pick a lot of Cs and make them play wing. If Bennett was there he'd probably be on the wing. As it is they have Mackinnon, McDavid, Crosby, Reinhart, Horvat, Point, Celebrini and Suzuki who are all Cs.

[sureLoss]

https://twitter.com/user/status/2006490826759901623

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

https://twitter.com/user/status/2006490826759901623

He's not even officially back from injury yet is he?

Edit: I see he returned just today but still...

[Royle9]

I miss having Russia in the World Juniors and Olympic’s
But I understand the reasoning behind it.

Sucks for the competition though.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Bennett scored the tying goal in the 4 nations, has 2 cups and just won the Conn Smythe

Terrible

There are few big game players like him

But they took Horvat and Cooper’s lightning players. Why is John Cooper the coach anyways? Paul Maurice has been to 3 straight cups and won the last 2.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont think theres really any need for that.

Olympic hockey just really isnt as great as people are making it out to be.

Olympic hockey is the best of the best IMO. Outside of the cup final. But international appeal there's nothing even close to it.

[SuperMatt18]

I'd still rather have Bennett than Horvat, if I'm setting up the roster I think something like:

Celebrini - McDavid - Marner
Crosby - MacKinnon - Point
Hagel - Suzuki - Reinhart
Marchand - Bennett - Wilson
Stone - Cirelli

That's probably how I'd use the team, and I like Bennett as the C in that 4th line energy role with Wilson and Marchand a lot more than I like Horvat there.

I feel like Cirelli, Horvat, and Suzuki all play a similar role and taking all 3 is a mistake.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Canada tends to just pick a lot of Cs and make them play wing. If Bennett was there he'd probably be on the wing. As it is they have Mackinnon, McDavid, Crosby, Reinhart, Horvat, Point, Celebrini and Suzuki who are all Cs.

And we all know how that goes for Bennett. He made it perfectly clear that he has no interest to play on the wing. He played like like a dufus that didn't give hoot when the Flames tried it. He is good in the role he has in Florida, but he isn't a very versatile player which I think the people doing the selection for this Olympic team wanted.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I'd still rather have Bennett than Horvat, if I'm setting up the roster I think something like:

Celebrini - McDavid - Marner
Crosby - MacKinnon - Point
Hagel - Suzuki - Reinhart
Marchand - Bennett - Wilson
Stone - Cirelli

That's probably how I'd use the team, and I like Bennett as the C in that 4th line energy role with Wilson and Marchand a lot more than I like Horvat there.

I feel like Cirelli, Horvat, and Suzuki all play a similar role and taking all 3 is a mistake.

Those lines look pretty great to me, but I would consider swapping Reinhart and Marner. You need someone with a defensive conscience on that top line, and Reinhart has such a lethal shot that he would easily fill in the Draisaitl role of playing with McDavid.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Those lines look pretty great to me, but I would consider swapping Reinhart and Marner. You need someone with a defensive conscience on that top line, and Reinhart has such a lethal shot that he would easily fill in the Draisaitl role of playing with McDavid.

Exactly what I was going to say

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Leaving Bedard and Schaefer behind is a predictable error. Probably would take thosenguys over half the roster. But the USA made more mistakes and it's a but of an "outrun the bear" thing with these processes.

Horvat and Suzuki should be there IMO. Fine with leaving Bennett off.

[FireGilbert]

Remember that time Tom Wilson was available to draft and Feaster traded down to pick Jankowski and Sieloff instead?

A typical Team Canada with a few questionable decisions taking experience and defensive play over the best players available, but enough high end talent and depth to be the gold medal favourite.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Remember that time Tom Wilson was available to draft and Feaster traded down to pick Jankowski and Sieloff instead?

A typical Team Canada with a few questionable decisions taking experience and defensive play over the best players available, but enough high end talent and depth to be the gold medal favourite.

Also passed on Teravainen, Hertl and Vasilevsky.

[browna]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Also passed on Teravainen, Hertl and Vasilevsky.

“Intellectual honesty”

[bluejays]

Listening to the 32 Thoughts Podcast now and Friedman says that Cooper wanted his guys and that came at the expense of Bennett. Sucks that everything is political, even in sports. Especially in sports. Can't tell me Cirelli and Hagel are going to be more impactful in a similar role. I get giving the coach a choice makes sense, but there should be something along the lines of, "you can't choose your own guys". Seems like each year these choices come up there are always dubious management choices with players that shouldn't be there.

[GioforPM]

Nm